Name: ___________________________
Ms. Wagner – English 9B
Due date: _______________________
Submit via Google docs or print out
Research Paper - Slavery
Task: To compose a 5-paragraph-research paper regarding slavery in America (18th/19th century).
Topics: Now that we’ve read The Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass, choose any topic at all that is
inspired by your reading. This should, obviously, be a topic you are interested in. You could write a paper on a
specific person mentioned in the narrative or any other issue, subject, argument, etc. mentioned throughout the
book.
For example, you could write a research paper on Captain Thomas Auld as a slave master, or you could write a
research paper that examines the Jim Crow Laws, city slaves versus plantation slaves, or the Emancipation
Proclamation. The key here is to pick something you want to research.
Introductory Paragraph (1)
1. This should include a strong opening sentence (not a question), and a summary/introduction to your
topic. You must clearly introduce who or what this person, idea, issue, etc. is.
2. Thesis statement. With your thesis (last sentence), you must sum up exactly what you’ll be proving in
your paper.
Body Paragraphs (2, 3, 4)
These will include your fact-based (not opinion-based) research on your topic.
a. You must include six direct quotes (at least 2 per body paragraph) from the Internet as well as
paraphrasing and summarizing of your research. You should also cite the novel itself, if possible.
You will be graded on your ability to show what you have learned about your topic.
√ Body paragraph #1
√ Body paragraph #2
Describe who or what your topic is, incorporating your
own words as well as information from your outside
sources.
Demonstrate independent thinking in these 2 body
paragraphs. After researching, decide on two different ideas
about your topic that you want to examine in this essay. I
am giving you the autonomy to pick any two significant
points within your topic that you want to discuss.
Remember, however, to cite your sources!
√ Body paragraph #3
Conclusion Paragraph
1. Restate your thesis, provide a brief summary of your main points, close up your research paper, and end
with a meaningful sentence!
In-text Citation Information
A) How to cite The Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass in your essay (how it should look actually within
your 3 paragraphs):
Frame your quote, put the quote in quotation marks, put the page number in parenthesis, and then put the
period after that.
Example: Master Thomas Auld had a wife who was described as having an “angelic” face (45).
*The first time you use/cite this source in a series of citations, put the author’s name. Example: (Douglass 45).
B) How to cite Internet sources in your essay – how it should look actually within your 3 paragraphs (very
important!):
-
Usually you cite the source using the author’s name and the page number (see above), but that can
sometimes be tricky with Internet sources because sometimes they’re not included. Include in the text
the first item that appears in the Work Cited entry (see next page) that corresponds to the citation (e.g.
author name, website name, article name). You do not need to give page numbers if they’re not provided.
Only provide partial URLs like CNN.com orForbes.com as opposed to writing out http://www.cnn.com or
http://www.forbes.com. Remember, only do this if your Internet source has no-known author.
Works Cited Page
1. Begin your Works Cited page on a separate page at the end of your research paper.
2. Label the page Works Cited (do not italicize them or put them in quotation marks). Center these words
at the top of your page.
3. Double space all citations, but do not skip spaces between entries. Indent the second line of the citation
and the lines that follow.
4. Entries on this page need to be listed alphabetically by the author's last name. Author names are
written last name first. Example: Burke, Kenneth
5. How to cite Internet sources FOR YOUR WORKS CITED page of your essay:
a.
b.
c.
d.
Go to easybib.com
Copy and paste the website you used and press “Cite It”
Hit “Continue”
Edit any information you need to, and hit “Create citation.” Copy and paste this citation onto your
Works Cited page.
6. How to cite The Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass for your WORKS CITED page of your essay:
Douglass, Frederick. Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass. New
York: Dover Publications, 1995. Print.
Important Things to Remember
Use third person point of view only
Use the proper MLA heading
Double-space everything (even the heading!)
Avoid informal wording, don't address the reader directly, and don't use jargon, slang terms, or
superlatives (exaggerations).
o You must include a Works Cited page!
o Use reliable Internet sources. Look for URLs that end in .org, .edu, or .gov, rather than .com. Do not use
Wikipedia as a source, but rather, as a starting point if you wish.
o
o
o
o
Brainstorming
Topic you’re considering:
Where is it mentioned in the book?
Why are you considering writing about this subject?
How do you plan on beginning your research?
After your research has been done
List the URLs of at least 2 credible sources you plan on using:
1.
2.
Information for your introduction
Opening sentence/hook/attention-getter:
Introduction of who/what your topic is:
Thesis statement:
Information for body paragraph 1:
What you plan on proving/informing about in this paragraph:
Topic sentence:
Quotes to support this idea (at least 2):
Your interpretation of these quotes:
Closing sentence:
Information for body paragraph 2:
What you plan on proving/informing about in this paragraph:
Topic sentence:
Quotes to support this idea (at least 2):
Your interpretation of these quotes:
Closing sentence:
Information for body paragraph 3:
What you plan on proving/informing about in this paragraph:
Topic sentence:
Quotes to support this idea (at least 2):
Your interpretation of these quotes:
Closing sentence:
Information for your Conclusion:
Restated thesis:
Summarize your three main points presented in body paragraphs:
Closing sentence: